Life is Beautiful Reflection

Prompt: Based on the Holocaust literature and poetry we have read, what connections can be made between Life is Beautiful and our reading?  What events, scenes, or situations are similar or different? What is similar or different about the mood or tone of the pieces?  How is life shown as beautiful throughout the film. Pull out at least two examples from different parts of the film and explain your rationale.

*I am pretty much just going to be juxtaposing Night and Life is Beautiful, not any other pieces of Holocaust literature.*

     Based off of the Holocaust literature and poetry we have read, specifically Night by Elie Wiesel, many connections can be made to the film Life is Beautiful.  To begin, in both Night and Life is Beautiful there is a deep father son bond formed after entering the concentration camps.  Elie Wiesel's only connection to home and family in the camp (besides his mother and sisters but they were separated), is his father, and that is the same goes for Joshua and his father Guido (his mother is also there, but again, they are separated).  Guido becomes even closer to his son Joshua, as he makes it a priority to help him survive and protect him, not only from death, but also the dangers and monstrosities of the concentration camp.  He is always looking out for his son, and even though Joshua may not know it, he is depending on his dad!  On the other hand, in Night, Elie is not naive like Joshua, and understands how dangerous and deadly the concentration camps really are, so he and his father, while create a stronger bond, it is one that is different from Guido and Joshua's.  They know they will most likely not find the rest of there intermediate family members again, and so an importance to stay together, and never become separated is shown.  They begin to take care of each other, and worry for each other, and genuinely care about the other's health, as they both want to come out of the Holocaust alive, and together!  Their motivation for surviving begins to solely become based off of each other, and with this, they are becoming closer; more loving and caring for each other.  So, it's very clear that both Night and Life is Beautiful depict a strengthening father son bond as a result of being placed in the concentration camps.

     Another similarity between Night and Life is Beautiful is that both Joshua and Elie's fathers die right before liberation.  Sadly enough, both Guido and Mr. Wiesel do not make it to freedom, but are extremely close, yet both of their sons are able to become free!  Although both men do not make it to the end, their deaths are very different.  Elie Wiesel's father did not die because he did something wrong, but because he was doing everything right!  He went through all of the marches, and never slowed pace.  H completed his work everyday, ate what he was given, slept where he was told, and most importantly, did not attempt to escape the camp.  The conditions eventually became to harsh for his already weakened body to handle, so he was not able to continue fighting.  Though, Guido was actually killed because he was sneaking around, looking for his wife, and was caught in the act.  He was shot by a German officer (I believe) for this, and did not die as a result of the conditions of the concentration camp like Elie's father.  I'm not sure whether or not Guido would've survived if he hadn't been sneaking around, but he had more control over his death in that situation, while Elie's father did not.  He could not help tat he had become to sick to live any longer, but Guido could've followed the rules, and not snuck around, preventing death in the manned that it occurred.

     A huge difference between Night and Life is Beautiful is the tone and mood of each piece.  The book Night by Elie Wiesel, has a very dark and solemn tone, and a gloomy, and somber mood.  Everything is negative, and there is no sign of a smile, or lighthearted laugh, only negativity, and sorrow.  The Holocaust was a terrible, disgusting time, and so the concentration camps in turn, were not a bright, happy place to be, with lots of cheery, positive people.  It was a place where people were basically sent to be murdered by different means, and were tortured for months on end.  So, because Night is a true story written by Elie Wiesel about his actual experience during the Holocaust in the different concentration camps, it fits the normal mood of the concentration camps; a dark place where the Jews faced unjust hardships and constraints.  Anyone coming out if this would probably be somewhat bitter about it all, and write about their experience in a negative light, because it truly was horrific, giving that serious, dark tone along with a dark and almost depressing mood.   Though, Life is Beautiful has a much more lighthearted mood, and humorous tone, though it could be somber at sometimes.  The Holocaust was a very serious event, but Guido has to make being a part of the concentration camps and torture of it all, a positive thing for his son, so that he can protect him from all of the negativity.   He always speaks with such enthusiasm and tries to make jokes about the things that actually happened, as to not worry or scare Joshua about everything he is experiencing, and being forced to live.  For example, when Joshua overhears a man talking about men being turned into soap and buttons after being murdered, Guido makes a joke of it, explaining that it would be ridiculous to wash yourself with, and button your shirt with a human.  This gives the movie overall a much more lighthearted mood and humorous tone, even though it is about the same serious topic as Night.

     I believe that life is shown as beautiful at so many points during the film, even when life may not seem ver beautiful at all, but very ugly!  Though even in a negative, ugly situation, Guido specifically finds a way to make life beautiful for both his wife and his son!  The first way that life seems to be beautiful thanks to Guido in the film, is when he explaining to Joshua that being part of the camp is only a game (even though it is actually slaughter house for Jewish people) and that if they win, Joshua will receive a real tank for first prize.  the way that Guido lies, and turns such a terrible situation, into a positive situation to protect and shelter his son is very beautiful in my eyes.  It must've been extremely difficult to make it seem like everything was a game, and be so positive for Joshua at all times, but Guido keeps up the act in order to shelter his son from the wickedness of the camp.  The act of pure love by Guido is beautiful, and makes life in the camp, much more beautiful for Joshua.  Even though it is a disgusting place to live, it can now be looked at as beautiful because it is the place where Joshua may be able to win his tank!  The second way that life seems to be beautiful is when Joshua and his mother are reunited after Joshua has "won" his tank.  He gets to ride in the American tank (which he believe he has won from the game him and his father were playing) and eventually reaches a point where he sees his mother and runs to meet her.  The way she embraces him, and the genuine joy both of them show to be free reunited, and have "won" the game, is truly beautiful.  Their love and happiness that comes from their freedom (winning the game for Joshua) and just being able to see each other, and know that they are both alive, is a truly beautiful sight.  It is genuine joy after such an incredible time of sorrow (maybe not entirely for Joshua) and that is true beauty.